SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[tizey]

My knowledge of Singapore is Changi. Even that pales to some in this thread.

What's a good option to spend an overnight transit? Mrs & I pretty much need a bed and shower. Bonus points for a pool for a morning dip, but not deal breaking. Transit hotel is an option, but feel we could do better for somewhere in town.

Arrive in SIN MI flight from Koh Samui at 2.30pm, departing 11.00am the next day to get home.

 

[Dr Bob]

My knowledge of Singapore is Changi. Even that pales to some in this thread.

What's a good option to spend an overnight transit? Mrs & I pretty much need a bed and shower. Bonus points for a pool for a morning dip, but not deal breaking. Transit hotel is an option, but feel we could do better for somewhere in town.

Arrive in SIN MI flight from Koh Samui at 2.30pm, departing 11.00am the next day to get home.

There is such a massive range. My current favourite is the Swissotel Merchant Court, older 5 * very central great pool & good food, can get deal for under $200 depending on day you want.

 

[wazza888]

Have a 14 hour layover in Singapore. SYD-SIN on SQ222 (arr. 21:20) and SIN - PNH the next day during the Xmas period. My options are the transit hotels on airside or the Crowne Plaza. The transit hotels seems to be heavily booked and needs to be booked early. Anyone know what sort of load at the Crowne Plaza?

 

[dxwell]

From my experience, there are 3 options:
1. Transit hotel: focus is on getting 4-6 hours of sleep, thinking will be some miracle cure for your inevitable jet lag. The pool is very nice for a swim in the morning (only open 6am-12midnight) although you can just pay $SGD17 for casual use without staying. For me, this option is more to make you feel good about yourself rather than any meaningful rest and recuperation.

2. Travel into Singapore: if you’ve got 16 hours+ then you can:
a. exit customs (leaving you with 15 hours*)
b. grab a cab or other slower transport to a Singapore hotel (leaving you with 14 hours)
c. check in and connect to the wifi in your room (leaving you with 13 hours)
d. head out to a restaurant or hawker market (leaving you with 10 hours)
e. back to hotel, fart around, shower, stare at blue screen (leaving you with 8 hours)
f. hotel tells you that you have to leave hotel 3 hours before your flight (leaving you with 5 hours)
g. you know that waking up, shower, breakfast, faffing around will be an hour (leaving you with 4 hours)

3. Stay at the Crowne Plaza:
a. exit customs
b. 5 min walk to hotel
c. 20 mins and you’re into your room
d. swim in the marvellous pool
e. eat at the hotel restaurant and pay top dollar or take the elevator down to B2 and go to Changi staff restaurant and eat great food like a local for cheap as. Or do the club thing and indulge.
f. sleep in a quiet room with a super comfy bed for 8+ hours, swim, brekky, etc
g. amble into Changi and off to the lounge (it is quick to get into airport- baggage check is at each gate) with ample time and a zen feel

* times elaborated somewhat for dramatic tension

 

[daft009]

Also depends on your arrival time.
If you arrive at breakfast tube into Changi, it's more economical to do the transit hotel, rather than pay potentially 2 nights for a proper hotel.

Provided you're not heading out straight away

 

[wazza888]

From my experience, there are 3 options:
1. Transit hotel: focus is on getting 4-6 hours of sleep, thinking will be some miracle cure for your inevitable jet lag.......

2. Travel into Singapore: if you’ve got 16 hours+ then you can: .......

3. Stay at the Crowne Plaza:..............

Thanks. I get into Changi at 9:20 pm if no delays. With immigration, queues, taxis, hotel check in etc it could be past 11:00 pm. May just book into the Crowne with the cancellation option and rebook 1 week before I leave at a lower rate.

 

[moffat39]

My knowledge of Singapore is Changi. Even that pales to some in this thread.

What's a good option to spend an overnight transit? Mrs & I pretty much need a bed and shower. Bonus points for a pool for a morning dip, but not deal breaking. Transit hotel is an option, but feel we could do better for somewhere in town.

Arrive in SIN MI flight from Koh Samui at 2.30pm, departing 11.00am the next day to get home.

Depends on your budget. If you have a Accor loyalty card then my suggestion is Ibis Bencoolen where there is plenty of things to around including shopping and food. If you can get it on Accor sale cost is around $100. Or Novotel Clarke Quay which has a local shopping centre underneath with a great Japanese supermarket. Is around a 10 minute walk to either Orchard Road or Chinatown. On Accor sale cost is around $180.

If your bags are checked through you should be at either hotel around 3.30 and leave around 8.45 the next morning.

 

[tizey]

Thanks for the advice - all noted for next time.

Mrs tizey overruled the night on SIN - now departing Koh Samui a day later and going to enjoy a 9hr transit and get the midnight flight to MEL. Long enough to get to city, light shop, dinner and a shower before a red-eye home.

 

[maccaisking]

I'm after some advice on an SQ award ticket refund. I booked an SQ reward seat in Y between BOS and EWR, flying on United metal, then called to cancel within 24 hours as I found and booked a J ticket on the same flight. My understanding is that with 24 hours I should be able to cancel the Y seat without penalty (based on it being a US booking, with cash component charged in USD, between US cities) however the call centre insisted on charging $75 to re-credit points. I asked for a supervisor and was promised a call back, but I'm not expecting they will call. Has anyone cancelled a flight like this before and had success?

 

[maccaisking]

I'm after some advice on an SQ award ticket refund. I booked an SQ reward seat in Y between BOS and EWR, flying on United metal, then called to cancel within 24 hours as I found and booked a J ticket on the same flight. My understanding is that with 24 hours I should be able to cancel the Y seat without penalty (based on it being a US booking, with cash component charged in USD, between US cities) however the call centre insisted on charging $75 to re-credit points. I asked for a supervisor and was promised a call back, but I'm not expecting they will call. Has anyone cancelled a flight like this before and had success?

Update: They called back within around 90 minutes and are refunding points and cash, no charge to me. Good result, but disappointed I had to argue for it.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

From my experience, there are 3 options:
1. Transit hotel: focus is on getting 4-6 hours of sleep, thinking will be some miracle cure for your inevitable jet lag. The pool is very nice for a swim in the morning (only open 6am-12midnight) although you can just pay $SGD17 for casual use without staying. For me, this option is more to make you feel good about yourself rather than any meaningful rest and recuperation.

2. Travel into Singapore: if you’ve got 16 hours+ then you can:
a. exit customs (leaving you with 15 hours*)
b. grab a cab or other slower transport to a Singapore hotel (leaving you with 14 hours)
c. check in and connect to the wifi in your room (leaving you with 13 hours)
d. head out to a restaurant or hawker market (leaving you with 10 hours)
e. back to hotel, fart around, shower, stare at blue screen (leaving you with 8 hours)
f. hotel tells you that you have to leave hotel 3 hours before your flight (leaving you with 5 hours)
g. you know that waking up, shower, breakfast, faffing around will be an hour (leaving you with 4 hours)

3. Stay at the Crowne Plaza:
a. exit customs
b. 5 min walk to hotel
c. 20 mins and you’re into your room
d. swim in the marvellous pool
e. eat at the hotel restaurant and pay top dollar or take the elevator down to B2 and go to Changi staff restaurant and eat great food like a local for cheap as. Or do the club thing and indulge.
f. sleep in a quiet room with a super comfy bed for 8+ hours, swim, brekky, etc
g. amble into Changi and off to the lounge (it is quick to get into airport- baggage check is at each gate) with ample time and a zen feel

* times elaborated somewhat for dramatic tension

I used to do 1/ but the last two times we have done 3/ and I much prefer it. 1/ is a chore. 3/ is enjoyable.

I have done 2/ once and enjoyed the hawkers market for dinner, but everything else about doing this for a short stay I found to be a PIA.

PS: You can also make use of the KF lounges, including The Private Room if flying SQ F.

 

[potm]

I think scenario 2 is quite exaggerated, you don't need 3 hours each way to get to and from Changi. Why would you be farting around for 2 hours if you had only 6 hours to sleep. A 16 hour layover is plenty of time to have a nice stopover in Singapore.

The only difference between 2 and 3 is the transport to and from the hotel. I'm not saying 3 is a bad option though.

 

[mel-world]

From my experience,

3. Stay at the Crowne Plaza:

This would, indeed be the best option if the Crowne Plaza was not so expensive for a crowded, noisy hotel that knows it has a near monopoly. Even for one night, I much prefer a short trip downtown to a more relaxed location.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

This would, indeed be the best option if the Crowne Plaza was not so expensive for a crowded, noisy hotel that knows it has a near monopoly. Even for one night, I much prefer a short trip downtown to a more relaxed location.

CP beds in main part of hotel like morgue slabs - beds in Business Rooms not so hard - F & B offerings in EL a disgrace - breakfast quite good and reasonably priced if reqd - given convenience factor I don’t view CP as overpriced but I too prefer the quick cab trip into town.

 

[Clive005]

I'm looking at booking a reward flight for 3pax in J early October 2019 from Europe, I was thinking cdg but doesn't seem to be much availability anyone recommend a city with lots of availability to leave from,?
Looking to fly to Singapore and have a short stopover then back to Adelaide

 

[Scr77]

I'm looking at booking a reward flight for 3pax in J early October 2019 from Europe, I was thinking cdg but doesn't seem to be much availability anyone recommend a city with lots of availability to leave from,?
Looking to fly to Singapore and have a short stopover then back to Adelaide

How about searching for 2J and 1F ?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I'm looking at booking a reward flight for 3pax in J early October 2019 from Europe, I was thinking cdg but doesn't seem to be much availability anyone recommend a city with lots of availability to leave from,?

Quick search ARN showing availability 3 x J Oct 1, 3 and 10 - I would personally W/L multiple dep ports and just see what happens - J rdpts that far out can clear basically imm in some cases.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Any intel on which seat version currently on 772 flt 247?

Only details I can find is that it is old 2-2-2 regional J - pr*cks of seat of o/n flt.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Any intel on which seat version currently on 772 flt 247?

Only details I can find is that it is old 2-2-2 regional J - pr*cks of seat of o/n flt.

yeah. I did a sample booking for 1 november and it’s 2-2-2. IIRC that flight is also available for star alliance award redemption, so that correlates.

 

[whughes3]

Any intel on which seat version currently on 772 flt 247?

Only details I can find is that it is old 2-2-2 regional J - pr*cks of seat of o/n flt.

Yes, unfortunately that appears to be correct, the 772's all have the old "Spacebed" seats.